A proportional scale is a handy tool to use when you want to figure out how much bigger to make a design drawing or pattern to fit where you want. It is a sliding scale with two wheels. The inner, smaller one gives the sizes of your starting drawing. The outer, larger wheel provides the comparable larger sizes of the drawing you want.
For instance, start with a drawing that is 8″ x 12″ and you know that you want to make it into a drawing 35″ wide instead of 8″. How big overall will the drawing be? Find 8″ on the inner wheel. Rotate the outer wheel until 35″ is directly above the 8″ mark. First, look over in the window to see the calculated percentage increase of 440%. You can then look at 12″ on the inner wheel and see that 53″ lies directly above it. Your final drawing will be enlarged 440% and will be 35″ x 53″.
This summary is taken from Design Explorations for the Creative Quilter by Katie Pasquini Masopust.
From The Tech Editors
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6 Comments
Great! I have this tool and always forget to use it…
That is a good idea, I just blow things up till I get a size that looks good to me, lol. I use a projector to blow them up on the wall, so usually I make it to fit the size for what I want.
Debbie
I have this tool I use it to enlarge or reduce doll clothes patterns, but never thought of using it for quilting?? DUH!! Thanks for the tip, I defientely will try it……
Quilting Tips are such a great idea! This tool sounds to good to be true-I will be on the lookout for one.
Thanks Mabel Toth jtoth002@tampabay.rr.com
This sounds like the answer to some of my sizing challenges.
I’ve worked as a “board artist” for years (before computers)…..had not even considered using my good old “Pro Scale” for quilting….but you can bet I will now.